Thursday, August 27, 2009

My First Daring Baker's Challenge - Dobos Torte

Dear All,
Dobos Torte RecipeThis is my first Daring Bakers Challenge and i am very much excited about it. I wanted to join the Daring Baker's league from a very long time but never got enough courage to do so. Last month finally i convinced myself to give it a try and here i am with my very first challenge. The challenge was to make this exquisite 6 layered Dobos Torte. The August 2009 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Angela of A Spoonful of Sugar and Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella. They chose the spectacular Dobos Torte based on a recipe from Rick Rodgers' cookbook Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Caffés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. The Dobos Torta is a five-layer sponge cake, filled with a rich chocolate buttercream and topped with thin wedges of caramel. (You may come across recipes which have anywhere between six and 12 layers of cake; there are numerous family variations!). It was invented in 1885 by József C. Dobos, a Hungarian baker, and it rapidly became famous throughout Europe for both its extraordinary taste and its keeping properties.
I used half of the recipe given as i had used an 7inch baking pan instead of 9 and still managed to get 6 layers. Making the cake wasnt difficult just a little time consuming with lots of patience. I wasnt too keen on using the butter cream as the filling as personally I am not fond of buttercream but as this was my first challenge i did stick to the recipe, only that i didnt use any eggs in the butter cream, just butter, icing sugar and dark melted chocolate did the trick! I used powdered halzelnuts and some chocolate sprinkles to decorate the sides of the cake.
Dobos Torte My Recipe for the Dobos Torte Sponge Layer: 3 large eggs seperated 90 gms of icing sugar, divided 60 gms sifted cake flour 1 tsp vanilla essence Chocolate Buttercream: 100 gms dark chocolate chopped 1/3 cup of softened butter 1 cup confectioner's sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla essence Caramel Topping: 1/2 cups of super fine sugar 6 tbsp of water 4 tsp of lemon juice Finishing Touches: Finely chopped or powdered hazelnuts Chocolate sprinkles How to make Dobos Torte
Directions for the sponge layers:
NB. The sponge layers can be prepared in advance and stored interleaved with parchment and well-wrapped in the fridge overnight.
  • Position the racks in the top and centre thirds of the oven and heat to 400F (200C).
  • Cut six pieces of parchment paper to fit the baking sheets. Using the bottom of a 9" (23cm) springform tin as a template and a dark pencil or a pen, trace a circle on each of the papers, and turn them over (the circle should be visible from the other side, so that the graphite or ink doesn't touch the cake batter.)
  • Beat the egg yolks, 45gm of the confectioner's (icing) sugar, and the vanilla in a medium bowl with a mixer on high speed until the mixture is thick, pale yellow and forms a thick ribbon when the beaters are lifted a few inches above the batter, about 3 minutes. (You can do this step with a balloon whisk if you don't have a mixer.)
  • In another bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 45 gms of confectioner's (icing)sugar until the whites form stiff, shiny peaks. Using a large rubber spatula, stir about 1/4 of the beaten whites into the egg yolk mixture, then fold in the remainder, leaving a few wisps of white visible. Combine the flour and salt. Sift half the flour over the eggs, and fold in; repeat with the remaining flour.
  • Line one of the baking sheets with a circle-marked paper. Using a small offset spatula, spread about the batter in an even layer, filling in the traced circle on one baking sheet.
  • Bake on the top rack for 5 minutes, until the cake springs back when pressed gently in the centre and the edges are lightly browned. While this cake bakes, repeat the process on the other baking sheet, placing it on the centre rack. When the first cake is done, move the second cake to the top rack.
  • Invert the first cake onto a flat surface and carefully peel off the paper. Slide the cake layer back onto the paper and let stand until cool. Rinse the baking sheet under cold running water to cool, and dry it before lining with another parchment. Continue with the remaining papers and batter to make a total of 7 layers (6 for the cake and 1 for the top caramel one).
Dobos Torte Homemade
Directions for the chocolate buttercream:
NB. This can be prepared in advance and kept chilled until required
  • On a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
  • Once the chocolate is cooled, add in the softened butter and beat together until smooth.
  • Slowly add in the icing sugar, little by little and beat together to form creamy icing.
  • Finally add in the vanilla essence and once again give a quick beat.
For Caramel Topping:
  • Choose the best-looking cake layer for the caramel top. To make the caramel topping: Line a jellyroll pan with parchment paper and butter the paper. Place the reserved cake layer on the paper. Score the cake into equal 6 to 7 wedges, this would depend upon the size of your cake.
  • Heat together sugar , water and lime on medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
  • Now turn the heat at high and let it boil for few mins until a dark caramel color is obtained
  • Immediately pour the caramel on the wedges and with lightly greased spoon or spatula cover all sides of the wedges with caramel.
  • Remove them to a seperate sheet and cool completely.
Assembling the Dobos Torte:
  • Divide the buttercream into six equal parts.
  • Place a dab of chocolate buttercream on the middle of a 7 inch cardboard round or a plate and top with one cake layer. Spread the layer with one part of the chocolate icing. Repeat with 5 more cake layers. Spread the remaining icing on the sides of the cake.
  • Arrange the caramel wedges on top of the cake.
  • Decorate the sides of the cake with chopped hazelnuts and chocolate sprinkles.

99 comments:

  1. when I heard the name dobbos torte... i felt.. appa! this one is not for me...

    Confusing name and recipe...

    When I started reading I felt this is something I can also make...

    thanks for dobbos torte... :)

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  2. Congrats on your very first challenge and welcome! your cake looks really beautiful!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. Gorgeous, Beautiful Torte, Parita!Have come across couple of Dobos Torte's.I am sure it tastes heavenly.Now, I am so keen to join DB but as you said, Courage...That's what is lacking!I am not quite sure if I will be able to do it without skipping 2 months consecutively!!:((:)

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  4. Wow wow wow ... this is ABSOLUTELY TEMPTING.. I seriously wish you could send me a piece of it ;)

    Congrats on your success and there is so much I need to learn from my buddy. :)

    Looks gorgeous.. I cant stop drooling :)

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  5. Congrats on your first DB challenge! You did a great job :) Your Dobos Looks very delicious :)

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  6. Nice job!!! Looks really delicious. I'm craving cake all of the sudden.

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  7. wow the torte looks Extra-ordinary dear ....want to grab the plate.....mouth watering ...

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  8. pretty picture of a gorgeous cake..

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  9. Congrats on your first challenge!
    Torte looks delicious.
    Btw, liked your new template :)

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  10. WOW!!! Torte looks awesome Parita...

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  11. Wow - this is gorgeous! Wish I can have a piece of it right now. I want to sit with a big piece on my couch - watch my favorite show and eat it one small bite at a time relishing it - I wish!

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  12. wow.. fantastic entry.. wonderful & yummy recipe.. thxs for sharing,.. nice clicks..

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  13. that looks yummy Parita. Great job on ur first challenge.

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  14. wow wow wow looks so good and tempting pari... omg everyone are tempting me by this one i drooling from yest.. ur has come out perfect dear... lovely one. Please send me one for my b'day since u have posted on my b'day

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  15. Parita, great pictures...clear, sharp and tempting...wish only I could try one of them!

    Angie's Recipes

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  16. Wow this looks so Yum !
    Congrats on ur first DB challenge.

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  17. Hats off to you! Its a tough one and you pulled it off perfectly...

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  18. Gosh, how exquisite is that! Great job, Parita.

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  19. Excellent job!you certainly are a daring baker.welcome to the club :D

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  20. Wow! Just reading about make me tired. Looks great. Looking forward to the many more DB creations you are going to come up with.

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  21. Congrats on your first challenge!
    Torte looks delicious.

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  22. Congrats on doing such a beautiful job on your 1st challenge! This is so pretty!

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  23. Lovely! I love the alternating stripes on the side of your cake! GREAT first challenge!

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  24. wow looks amazing & delicious ....

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  25. Welcome to Daring Bakers Parita! I hope we didn't scare you off too much with our selection. You did a great job and it looks wonderful! :)

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  26. Lovely torte! This looks so delicious.

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  27. slurrp......looks so tempting..

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  28. congrats on finishing the first challenge. great job.

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  29. My gosh my gosh ..! Awesome !Congrats

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  30. gr8 job Parita. I dont have courage even to take their name :p
    Dobos Torte looks gorgeous

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  31. Congrats for your new venture...nice pictures..they look so professionally clicked..we have to learn so much from all our blogger friends..

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  32. Pari, Congratulations!!! You have done it do well! Loved your torte!! WTG!!

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  33. amazing girl!! it looks so professional....can I grab one bite pls

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  34. Aweeessooomee! Great job Parita!. Wow, that is a lot of effort and patience! I am sure it tasted heavenly too!

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  35. Welcome to the daring bakers! Your first challenge looks like a success!

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  36. Wow! Great job Parita! Lovely looking thing! :-)

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  37. Oh my....pari, U've got it perfect there....U are really professional yaar.....After seeing so many posts of DOBOStorte, now Im also getting tempted to make it!!But it looks so complicated and really time consuming....not during fasting I guess...

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  38. Congrats on your first challenge. Your cake looks professional. Nicely done!

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  39. perfect..too good for the first challenge..keep it up. :-)

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  40. gr job, paritha!

    mouth watering!...tempting pics!.

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  41. Great job with the first challenge. Love ur clicks , makes me drool..

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  42. Paritha, congrats for making our prefectly ur first Db challenge, torte looks tremendous dear..

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  43. Congrats on your very first challenge...this s awesome dear.. :)

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  44. Never luks like its ur first challenge luk at tht its so perfect y dont u give me one slice of it how can u eat vthout even givin me :(...my mouth is watering

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  45. Parita that was an excellent one. Yummy!! I really love cakes.

    I have a question for you? What oven you use for baking?
    I am planning to buy one. So want to know.

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  46. This looks amazing. Well done Parita

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  47. send me one piece parita...yummmmm!

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  48. Oh! WOW! Gorgeous, tempting Torte! Wonderful work dear!

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  49. i really admire ur hard work parita...its such a lengthy procedure to do this....but worth ur efforts as it really looks tempting & yummy....

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  50. Hi pari...
    I have a tag for u in my blog...I would like to know more about u.

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  51. So glad you joined!!! You've done a fantastic job with every component. Very nice. :)

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  52. Parita ,
    This one looks very similar to the Goan babinca. Great recipe for the challenge :)

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  53. WOw Parita...thats so decadent and tempting...great job dear :)

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  54. Congrats on ur first challenge....this is a perfectly executed Dobos Torte.Beautifully presented as well.

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  55. congrats on ye first challenge pari!! you did a great job!! this cake look so pretty and delish!
    cheers!

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  56. Kudos to the painstaking effort parita.. The vanilla beans add a nice garnish.. The cake looks awesome

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  57. This looks beautiful. The design of your new blog is very creative and refreshing!

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  58. Wowie! Looks yummie! I could gobble the entire yellow goody in a go!

    Good job Parita! I am sure lot of hard work as its a layered cake! Good going Baker!

    Cheerz
    Ashwini.

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  59. wahh kaya bath hai.. simply superb so tempting, great job dear.

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  60. Congratulations on your first challenge and what a challenge to start with! This one is one of the most complex looking recipes! You did a fantastic job and your torte is spectacular!

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  61. Now this wasn't too hard, right ;)

    Welcome to the club!

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  62. Beautiful torte -- congrats on your first Daring Bakers challenge! The vanilla beans are a lovely touch.

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  63. Looks very tasty and delicious dear:)Luscious pics..

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  64. Congrats on your first challenge! Your torte looks amazing =D. Love the decorations!

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  65. Wow Parita you did a fabulous job! The torte is amazing I would love a slice. :-)

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  66. Congratulations! I'd say your first challenge was a smashing success!!!

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  67. Hi,
    Just got back from my vacation..You have done a wonderful job.Congrats on your first challenge!
    Torte looks delicious.

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  68. Awesome post dear, delicious torte!!!

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  69. wow! First time??? looks like u r an expert!

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  70. Nice new look Pari..beautiful cake..:)

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  71. congratulations for your first challenge...u've done amazing work !!

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  72. Congratulations on a challenge beautifully done and welcome to the DB community.

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  73. What a beautiful cake! Love your presentation with the vanilla bean.
    Congratulations on your first challenge! Great job!

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  74. Lotsa hardwork there!!The outcome looks yummy!!keep up u'r gud work!!

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  75. your first entry? Wow, way to start with a bang! SUPER impressive, Parita!

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  76. Appreciate your patience to make such a glorious baked dish. Also love the design of your blog:)

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  77. Oh Pari that's looks delicious.....gud try

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  78. Oh wow....that's an awesome Torte....Congrats on u r first challenge....rock on....

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  79. that is truly a daring baker's cake- So many layers and all the hard work! Lovely done.

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  80. ur tempt been success...my best wishes to u

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  81. Yummy! brilliant attempt parita. I have never made gr8 attempts with baking. May be I can take your help da! :-)

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  82. Nicely done Parita, I sat this one out...have been doing too many other cakes lately.

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  83. hi,

    i wud like to give u an award...plz collect it frm my blog!

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  84. Hi pari...
    Glad u liked my pics...Im not very happy with my pics, but that's all i cud do and was waiting to ask MeetaK of whatsforlunchhoney on photography tips while i got ur comment!She does an excellent job.

    Anyways, I use SONY DSLR-A200. I think it does a pretty good job. But again, I slightly modify my image in Picassa image editor. U can try that.

    And i think u feel my pics are sharp, probably cos it's big. I Upload pics in photobucket and then link to the site. So i get bigger pics. Ur pics are real good too.
    Hugs,
    Shabs

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  85. Kudos to you Parita! & congrats! you have done an fabulous one here... as I have been reading about the high level of difficulty in this challenge.

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  86. too good for a first...how have u been doing Parita?

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  87. awesome job!! that's a great lookin cake considering its your first DB challenge :)

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  88. So you too a Daring baker now??Wonderful looking cake..:):)

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  89. Congrats on your first challenge, the torte looks fabulous. Welcome to DB!!

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  90. Congrats on your first challenge, the torte looks fabulous. Welcome to DB!!

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  91. Parita..lovely job in DB! Loved ur space..loved the latest mango pound cake! Tks for sharing such lovely recipes!

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